Catholic students put gender on agenda

Published: 05 March 2007

In a statement for today's International Women's Day, an Asia-Pacific
Catholic student group has called for effective work for gender justice
and equality and criticised men as the main perpetrators of gender
violence.

The
International Movement of Catholic Students Asia-Pacific office in
Manila has warned that "to genuinely respect women, celebrating IWD
(International Women's Day) is not enough".

"We have to constantly work and voice out for women rights," the movement's statement said.

"Women
are very progressive today and have many success stories to tell but
majority women are facing many obstacles in terms of human rights and
equality," the statement says.

The movement singled out for
attack the "odious but increasingly common" practice of women and
children trafficking, the targeting of women in armed conflict and the
incidences of HIV/AIDS among young women.

"In these modern
times, in many places, women are living under extreme violence and male
dominated structures and it is clear that violence against women and
girls remains a devastating reality in the world," the statement said
calling for students to play "a prophetic role" in building gender
equality.

40th anniversary for Vinnies women

Meanwhile,
in Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society also released a statement
for International Women's Day acknowledging the 40th Anniversary of
women becoming full members of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

"Women have always been a dominant force in the Society," a Vinnies statement says.

The
statement continues: "although this year Vinnies celebrates the 40th
anniversary of women becoming full members, women have influenced,
inspired and shaped the St Vincent de Paul Society from the very
beginning.

"Society founder Frederic Ozanam sought the guidance
of Sister Rosalie Rendu of the Daughters of Charity, who taught the
young student how to befriend the poor with love, kindness and respect
for human dignity. "

In 1856 a women's branch of the Society,
The Women's Society of St Vincent de Paul, was formed in Italy,
distinct from the men's branch.

According to the statement,
these women assisted the poor by dealing with issues which, at that
time, were not typically handled by men, including the care of widows,
orphan girls and mothers with small families.

A women's branch was established in Australia 1906 and by 1933 there were twenty-four ladies' conferences.